MEMBERS of Leeds City Council are facing increased risk of violence and intimidation, a report has revealed.

A report by Council officers revealed 20 of the authority’s 99 councillors requested to have their home addresses removed from the council website last year due to fears this could lead to violence and intimidation. This showed a substantial increase from only six such requests the previous year.

The document, set to be discussed by the authority’s standards and conduct committee this week, suggests this reflects a national trend of increased threats, often via social media.

It relates to the withholding of home addresses, known as ‘sensitive interests’.

The document reads: “20 (7 in 2018/19) [permissions to withhold interests] relate to Leeds City Councillors, a substantial increase from last year.

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“This reflects the trend nationally where elected representatives face increased threats and being targeted maliciously – often, although not exclusively, via social media.”

A report last year from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, into made a recommendation to government to clarify that a councillor does not need to register their home address on an authority’s register of interests.

According to the Local Government Association (LGA), such intimidation is ‘putting people off’ standing as local councillors.

A section of the LGA’s website addressing intimidation faced by elected members states: “Becoming and serving as a councillor is a responsibility, a privilege and a hugely rewarding undertaking.

“But we are aware that an increasing number of councillors and candidates are being subjected to abuse, threats and public intimidation, undermining the principles of free speech, democratic engagement and debate. The growth of social media has provided an additional and largely anonymous route for individuals and groups to engage in such activity.”